Lady Wildcats win first tennis match

TEHACHAPI — The Taft High varsity girls’ tennis team won its season opener, 6-3, over Division II Tehachapi on Thursday.

Likewise, Taft’s JV team beat Tehachapi, 7-2, in its home opener.

“It was a great start for both Taft teams,” varsity coach Jim Carnal said. “Tehachapi has a solid tennis program so beating the Warriors portends well for the season. Next up is Independence on Thursday. I think the Falcons are even better than Tehachapi and predict that they will win Division IV in the Valley.

“Tehachapi had a very good No. 1 in returner Ashley Rush and a solid No. 2 in Taylor Cummings. Their new coach, Natalie Franchere, who had been their JV coach, played their top two girls at No. 1 doubles and the pair accounted for all of Tehachapi’s points.”

In a battle of seniors, Cooper Mainard beat Isabel Tinajero, 6-3, 6-4. And, in a match of sophomores, Kira Swope made quick work of lefty, Rajeen Pitts, 6-2, 6-1.

Leading 4-2 after singles and needing just one point to win, Carnal put his top two players in the bottom two doubles matches. At No. 1 doubles, Rush and Cummings were too experienced for second-year players Parkinson and Swope, beating them, 6-1, 6-2. But Taft won the other doubles. Okafor and senior Willow Owen bageled senior Megan Valant and sophomore Daniela Tinajero, 6-0, 6-0. At No. 3 doubles, Rivera and sophomore Kelsey Rushing beat freshman Nancy Martinez and sophomore Taya Sheen, 6-0, 6-4.